10 Fun Family Activities In Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison is, of course, famous for it’s Hot Springs but this little community (pop. 1,573) has so much more to offer. There is fun to be had for the whole family, year round, with its first class amenities and draw dropping natural beauty. From golfing & biking to hiking & wildlife tours, if you love the outdoors you’ll love Harrison & the surrounding area. For instance, here are ten families ‘must-do’s” that will make you want to return again & again.

1. Cycle the Agassiz-Harrison Circle Farm Tour – Rent a bike, or bring your own, and cycle around the many local Harrison farms. The self-guided tour gives a rare chance to meet the farmers, learn about agriculture and pick up fresh produce in the spectacular Fraser Valley.  A celebration of past and present, the tour is a vibrant mix of beautiful things to see, do, smell, and taste! See bison roaming the fields, watch artisan cheese and hand crafted pottery in the making. Take a guided tour of a diary farm, revisit a 1920’s active farming community, enjoy a twilight serenade, and shop for antiques, home & garden décor. Smell fresh coffee being roasted and 30 different varieties of tulips! Taste uniquely blended teas, heirloom tomatoes, gelati ice cream, Russian Red garlic, hazelnuts, corn, strawberries, and fresh veggies.The cycle tour is approximately 25km along flat public roadways.  

2. Rent a kayak, canoe or pontoon boat from Killer Cove Rentals and explore on the water at Harrison Lake. You could rent one of their fantastic pontoon boats or If paddling sounds like the perfect weekend activity, reserve a kayak or a canoe at Killer’s Cove Boat Rentals today. Everything from kayaks to power boat rentals and they’ll even give you a mini course on kayaking to ensure your safety and operate a strict no-alcohol policy. 100 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs.

3. Enjoy a Boat Tour of Harrison Lake or The Harrison River. Two local companies offer fantastic boat tours. If the do it yourself boating isn’t for you, how about a boat tour 

• Shoreline Tours combines the best elements of luxury, intimacy, and relaxation. Explore the scenic beauty and wildlife of Harrison Lake in casual style.  Their tours take in stunning waterfalls, rock formations, first nations artwork and some amazing wildlife viewing spots.
• Harrison Eco Tours offers trips on Harrison Lake, or if you prefer, from March to October they’ll take you up the Harrison River on a 1.5-hour tour. Or maybe you’d prefer the 2-hour sunset cruise?

4. Pay a visit to Kilby Historic Site: A 1920s living history site featuring a 1906 general store museum, post office, and the Manchester House Hotel. Enjoy costumed interpreters, children’s activities & a working heritage farm with friendly farm animals. Step back in time and enjoy a leisurely tour of the Kilby Historic Site with its magnificent 1906 General Store Museum. Visitors will view a fascinating gallery of product packaging dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. Don’t miss the intriguing artifacts in the heritage Post Office and Manchester House Hotel; both were an integral part of the Harrison Mills community at the turn of the twentieth century. The grounds surrounding the general store are approximately three hectares which we have preserved as the working farm it once was, the Waterloo Farm Museum. Today, the local Agassiz 4H club assists by annually stocking the farm with beautiful baby animals and their mothers. Visitors of all ages can interact and feed the animals on the farm while they are learning about rural farm life.

5. Hike the Spirit Trail:  The Spirit Trail is a short walk through a beautiful cedar forest that is very accessible from the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. What makes this trail so special is that a resident and artist has decorated many of the cedars along the trail with beautiful masks. Only 1km total distance, this is a perfect walk for any age. See how many of the masks you can find.

6. Hiking in Sasquatch Provincial Park:  What better way to spend the day with the family than a beautiful hike, finishing up with a picnic on a secluded beach? The trailhead begins just to the left of the canoe rental area. Half way around the lake on the south-end there is a path that will take you down to the lake and a secluded little beach. This is a great spot for a picnic and a dip in the lake. To get to Sasquatch from Harrison Hot Springs, follow Lillooet Ave eastbound. Lillooet Ave eventually becomes Rockwell Drive. Follow the well-marked signs to the Hicks Lake day use area.

7. Track the legendary Sasquatch with Sasquatch Country Adventures: Listen as your guide talks about the best evidence found to date about existence of the creature known as “Sasquatch.” Let them tell you what they believe the Sasquatch to be and how and why it has remained elusive for so long. Your adventure is sure to be a most memorable one, filled with on-location eye-witness accounts, beautiful scenery, and plenty of amusing anecdotes. Experience the six passenger Polaris Ranger Crew UTV which offers a safe, smooth, and comfortable ride for passengers of all ages.

8. Lunch at Muddy Waters Restaurant: Located on the waterfront, Muddy Waters is a family run cafe that uses fresh, local ingredients to create a unique dining experience. From locally roasted coffee to cheeses from Agassiz, Muddy Waters is a local foodie destination!  We are community-minded and not only promote everything we love about the Harrison, but we also source most of our food locally. Ask any of their staff about the lake, the hiking trails, or the hot springs, and more often than not they will have a story to tell; most of them grew up here. Food can be ordered to go. 328 Esplanade Ave, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0 MAP.

9. Dinner at Morgan’s Bistro: Situated on the Esplanade with an incredible view of the beach, Morgan’s Bistro offers an excellent selection of creative west coast entree’s with great daily specials. Be sure to make a reservation for the patio! No website: 180 Esplanade Ave, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0

10. Eat at The Black Forest: From goulash to bratwurst, this is Harrison’s destination for authentic European food, plus local favorites. With a full children’s menu, plenty of vegetarian options and special group menus there really is something for everyone at this one of a kind Overlooking beautiful Harrison Lake; this restaurant has been family-owned since 1975. 160 Esplanade Avenue, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M